Audi A8 TDIs 3.0? 4.0? or 4.2? and models?

[Rossy]

Granted it's going to be a few months before I am ready to buy, but giving serious thought to the A8 TDI Quattro..
Goes without saying that I'm farouring the 4.2 tdi out of the list above..
It would be around 2007 model...and want all the toys...

Want some HONEST opinions on them...is the 4.2 tdi a good engine as I'm going to be doing some serious miles in it?
Do they all have air suspension? (given I currently own the allroad) I'd like to get away from it?

Whats the best Model, Se Sport etc....

Remember, I'm after some honest, idealy from owners of one, opinions...

Many Thanks

Rossy

[Rossy]

No body...so no one has one then?

[Rossy]

Thanks for the influx of responses, I'm overwelmed!!!

[lostbok]

I think the A8 has less of an enthusiast fllowing than the A3's and A4's...

I was also looking at these recently as an alternative option for upgrading from my A4 (I want somehting with a bit more space in the back for long cruises out for familly holidays):

I assume you're after the 2003-2010 model? (Parkers' Info)

Of the options: 3.0, 4.0 and 4.2 TDI....

The 4.0TDI is the older engine: the 4.2TDI is better economy (28mpg vs 30mpg) + power (270bhp vs 321bhp!), so that's the one to go for if you want the V8.

Things to bear in mind: it's about 120kg heavier than the 3.0TDI and after March 2006, you will get STUNG on the UK road tax for the 4.2TDI (over £460pa?).... but then you do lose nearly 2 seconds on the 0-62mph time if you get a 3.0 rather than a 4.2!! (7.6sec vs 5.7sec).

In the grand scheme of things, a 321bhp 4.2 V8 that gets 33mpg is fantastic value even if you do pay more than £200pa extra in tax... and also bear in mind that the V8 TDI tends to come fully loaded, while the 3.0TDI's aren't as likely to have ALL the toys...

There are a LOT more SE's out there than Sport models... so you get more choice. Not driven them back to back, so not sure which is preferred.

I'm interested to hear why you didn't like the adjustable air suspension?

[Rossy]

I only posted this in October last year LOL

I have owned my 55 plate 433BHP Remapped A8 4.2 TDI for 4 Months...just gone it to stealers for glow plug and new fuel lines as "crushed"?

Anyway, to say I'm impressed is an under statement!!!

Had nothing but issues with the Allroad, in fact one of the worst cars I ever owned for reliability as a whole...

However, the A8 is in a differant class....better made I think as you do not hear of many if any air suspension issues other than the odd pump maybe...
Its the Sports model...and well equiped...

I think the A8 has less of an enthusiast fllowing than the A3's and A4's...

I was also looking at these recently as an alternative option for upgrading from my A4 (I want somehting with a bit more space in the back for long cruises out for familly holidays):

I assume you're after the 2003-2010 model? (Parkers' Info)

Of the options: 3.0, 4.0 and 4.2 TDI....

The 4.0TDI is the older engine: the 4.2TDI is better economy (28mpg vs 30mpg) + power (270bhp vs 321bhp!), so that's the one to go for if you want the V8.

Things to bear in mind: it's about 120kg heavier than the 3.0TDI and after March 2006, you will get STUNG on the UK road tax for the 4.2TDI (over £460pa?).... but then you do lose nearly 2 seconds on the 0-62mph time if you get a 3.0 rather than a 4.2!! (7.6sec vs 5.7sec).

In the grand scheme of things, a 321bhp 4.2 V8 that gets 33mpg is fantastic value even if you do pay more than £200pa extra in tax... and also bear in mind that the V8 TDI tends to come fully loaded, while the 3.0TDI's aren't as likely to have ALL the toys...

There are a LOT more SE's out there than Sport models... so you get more choice. Not driven them back to back, so not sure which is preferred.

I'm interested to hear why you didn't like the adjustable air suspension?

[lostbok]

sorrry: I usually live in the A$ (B6) forum... since that's the car I own and have only been glancign in the A6 / A5 forums... A8 is a relatively new idea for me.

when was yours registered? you getting pinged for the £400+ pa road tax?

I'm sorely tempted by a 3.0TDI / 4.2TDI A8 Sport over an A6 Avant S-Line (probably would have been the 3.0TDI), but going to hold off for a while longer as my A4 is still doing the job just fine...

Just as a matter of interest: what's your real-world MPG?

Seems a slightly strange question to ask about a luxury saloon that's mostly purchased for it's luxury, but do all models have seats that fold down? If not, is there an option to get seats taht fold or is it not an option at all?

I was thinking that it would be a great alternative to an A6 avant if the seats fold flat for the odd occaision when you need to move some larger thigns around (I'm a fan of just hiring a little panel van every time there's "dirty work", but I don't want to have to hire a van every time I want to move a bicycle around or pick up a couple of longer items from B&Q, it's not happened that often, but it's a pain in the proverbial when it does.

[Rossy]

No, May 23rd 2006 was the change over date so being a 55 plate i.e. late 2005 its the same as the Allroad was at £260 a year...just gone up again I believe to £270..

1 Oct 2005 - 23 Mar 2006	£148.50	£270.00	-	K	261 g/km
23 Mar 2006 - 22 May 2006	£261.25	£475.00	-	M	261 g/km
22 May 2006 - 27 Aug 2007	£253.00	£460.00	-	L	249 g/km

As for MPG the Display shows and adverage of 26-28 round town and 38-42 on motoway runs....

The rubber boot mat out of my Allrad in the boot of the A8 and is a bit small....LOL I was supprised! As for the seats folding..never looked so will have to get back to you..
Wife has a ****roen C4 Grand VTR+ as a company car (Miss the Galaxy she had before it) but its free and we have a trailer so never needed to look at putting stuff in the A8 and as its my baby wouldn't want to...LOL

Going back to the Tax tho, when the current A8 is due a change....I'm that impressed I'd bite the bullit and pay the £480 a year for the newer model...unless Merc add 4 wheel drive to the S Class....my car before the allraod...miss it...but the A8 is quicker the the 5.0 V8 merc was...and that did 8 MPG on a good day....so no brainer realy....

Heard the 3.0 TDI isn't as reliable as people think...but that said its in quite a few models A6, A8 Q7 etc...thats a lot of 3.0 ltrs out there....but most not all people I spoke to had problems with intake flaps, egrs, engine lights one blar blar...
But hay, mines in Audi right now with limp home mode having a glow plug and new fuel lines....

She's worth it......

[t8ups]

Nice choice in car buddy.

i have worked on 2 of these since i started my business doing tuning and lighting for cars, how have you managed to get 433bhp just from a map as that seems quite high for this car?

Thanks
Trups

[lostbok]

No, May 23rd 2006 was the change over date.....

Thanks for the feedback and clearing that up!

I'm hearing you on the trailer - I've got a Westfalia detachable on my A4 and a little Erde 122, so I use that for anything big or "icky"... and I was thinking that even if I went for an A6 Avant, I'd probably still want the trailer... and if I did that, I might as well get a higher spec'd A8 for the same money... I'll read up on the 3.0's a bit mroe, but I thought they were pretty bullet-proof.

Trups - agreed, 420bhp sounds fairly high, but 20-25% is fairly normal and there's lots of 130TDI's running 175-190bhp, so that's over 40%.... 422bhp versus 321bp stock is around 30% increase, so not crazy territory.

Rossy - where did you get that RR'd? Not doubting that it's a great engine and fantastic remap, but just checking if the 422bhp was somebody saying "that should give you 30% extra" or if it was RR'd and if so, if it was one of the more generous RR's (e.g. AmD gave some very volatile read-outs on their old setup in Bicester)... or my favourite, "it's 260bhp... ", "oh, why, well my mate said it felt about as quick as his Escort RS1600 and it weighs twice as much, so we just doubled the bhp"... not quite the full story, but close...

I assume that's a "standard" diesel remap, so it's pumped up the torque across the whole curve, especially at the front end of the curve, if so, how is the auto clutch coping? I know they couldn't use the DSG box on the 4.2TDI's 'cos they're such torque-monsters, so personally, I have no doubt at all that 420bhp is possible, but clutch life would be my main concern...

[ben.w93]

My dad had a 2005 4.0TDI, was a superb car, nothing went wrong on it, it had plenty of poke but the 4.2TDI is sightly better. He currently has a 4.2TDI Q7 which is wicked, especially after it had been tuned. He is also currently running a brand new 3.0TDI A8. It dill well over 40 mpg on a recent run and is as quick as his old 4.0TDI.